Hydraulic power-transmitting apparatus.



' 0.11. RADGLIFFE'. HYDRAULIC POWER TRANSMITTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1907. I 1,1 %2,88, Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W/T/VESSES 73 i ATTORNEY i O. R. RA FPE. HYDRAULIC POWER TRA M TTING APPARATUS.

' AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA UG. 999999 7. l, 1 $2,3U3 v Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

ssssssss s \HBETZJ WITNESSES O. R. RADCLIFFE. HYDRAULIC POWER TRANSMITTING APPARATUS. I APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29,1907. 1,1 WW3 I Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

- 8 SHEETSSHEET 3 WITNESSES INVENTOH I W W. flacwfle CARLTON R. RADCLIFFJE, QT

1'0 THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH C0.,, .OF NEW YORK;

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YORK,

To all whom it may concern." L

Be it known that 1, Cameron ourrn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the cit of New York, in the county of New Ybrk and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydraulic Power-Transmitting Apparatus, of which the followmg is a specification.

The present invention relates to power transmitting apparatus, by means of which the rotation of a driving member is imparted to a driven member through the medium of a suitable fluid.

More particularly the device relates to hydraulic power transmitting apparatus having independent rotatable driving and driven members, and means whereby the direction of rotation of the driven member may be reversed on maintaining the direction of rotation of the driving member.

In some of the hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, as heretofore in use, in order I to reverse the direction of rotation of the driven member, it is necessary to reverse the direction of rotation of the drlving member, as described in United States Letters Patent No. 984,849, granted to me Feb. 21, 1911, or in other words it is either necessaryto reversethe direction of rotation of the engine to which the power transmitting apparatus is connected, or other means must be provided, adapted to reverse the direction of rotation of the driving member. It is ob-' vious that such a reversal necessitates a rather complicated apparatus and a rather complicated engine, while it is obvious that the reversing means should be as simple as possible andnot depend on the engine, operating the driving member.

It is now the object of the present invention to provide a power transmitting apparatus, in which the direction of rotation of the driven member may be reversed at will, onmaintaining the direction of rotation of the driving member.

Speaking in generalterms, the present invention consists of an impeller of a centrifugal pump, secured .to a rotatable shaft, and operated by means of any suitable source of power. The impeller, hereinafter ,to be referred to as the driving member, is

R. Ran

'it will be seen that, in

v the impeller,

specification of Letters Patent. pmtgnfiefl'mec 2 yam, a licat on filed August as, ieov. serial naeeaeaa casing are loosely mounted two series of vanes, whlch vanes are similar to the vanes of aturbine. One series of these'vanes is provided for the ahead direction and the other fjor the reverse direction. The casing is filled with a suitable fluid. medium and, rotating the shaft and the impeller secured thereto, a motion is imparted to the fluid, which' enters the vanesof the impeller, partakes of the rotation of the same, and leaves the vanes with a-considerable amount of kinetic energy, due to its velocity of whirl and radial velocity. The kinetic energy of the water is then usedfor doing useful work, i. e. to rotate the driven member. The jets or streams of liquid, flowing from the vanes of the impeller, impinge one or the other series of vanes and transmit rotation to the driven member. lit is obvious, that the directions in which these two series of vanes discharge the fluid are opposite to each other, therefore their blades are bent inopposite directions. But, since the driving member rotates always in the same direction, it is necessary to provide for the reverse vanes a plurality of deflectors, in order to change the direction of the fluid, when it is intended to reverse the direction of rotation of the driven member.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a cross section of the appa ratus parallel to the axis of the same, Fig. 2

is a similar section of a modification of the device, Figs. 3 and 4: are sections of the apparatus in lines A-A and B-B, respectively, and Fig. 5 shows another modification of the device.

.1, in Fig. 1 indicates a rotatable shaft, journaled in bearings 2-2, which are supported by standards 3, the latter being secured to a base or frame 4.

An impeller 5, similar a centrifugal plump, is secured to the shaft 1' by any suita the present case by a key 6. The shaft and secured thereto, may be rothe medium of a driving pulley 7 any suitable source of power. The impel er 5 is formed of a number of radial vanes 8, or of curved vanes like those of a reaction turbine-wheel, and rotates in tated through to an impeller of the direction of the arrow shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

A fluid-tight casing or shell 9 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 1, and comprises two separate parts,10 and 11, secured together by screw bolts 12, or in any other suitable'manner. A ulley 11 is secured to (:1 made integral with the part 11 of the casing, and suitable to transmit power by means of a belt or any other flexible connection." The casing may be made fluidtight in any manner well known in the art, as by means of. stuffing boxes 13. Two independent series of vanes 1-1 and 15 are secured to the part 10 of the fluid-tight casing. These vanes are similar to the vanes of the runner of an outflow turbine, and are as shown in Figs. 3 and 1 bent in opposite directions. The vanes 11 serve for the ahead direction, while vanes 15 are provided for the reverse direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the liquid, leaving the vanes of the impeller, enters the vanes of the driven member in the direction of rotation of the impeller, the driven member will, therefore, rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. To reverse the driven member, it is necessary that the liquid should leave the driven member in a direction opposite to the direction, shown in Fig. 3. Therefore the vanes for the reverse direction must be bent in a direction opposite to the direction for the ahead running. But as the impeller rotates always in the same direction, the liquid could not properly enter the oppositely bent vanes. Consequentl a plurality of deflectors must be provide directing the liquid from the impeller to the vanes of the driven member under the proper angle. The deflector is indicated at 16, and comprises a plurality of vanes secured to a spider 17, which is loosely mounted on the shaft 1. To this Spider may be applied a brake mechanism, comprising a \vhecl'lS and a brake-band 19, for a purpose hereinafter to be explained.

ln order to bring the runner in operative position to either of the series of vanes 14 or 15, a shifting lever 20 is fulcrumed at 21 to the standard 8, andoperatively connected to the shaft 1. By means of this lever the runner 5 may be longitudinally shifted relative to the vanes of the driven member, so thatthe operator may at will direct the fluid, leaving the vanes of the impeller, to either of the series of vanes 14 or 15. A locking device 22 is provided for the purpose of locking the runner against longitudinal movement in some intermediate position.

The runner 8 is provided'with a heavy portion 23, acting as a fly-wheel.

The casing 9 may be filled with a suitable fluid through an opening 24 in the easing, and adapted to be closed by a plug 24.

create a head The operation of the apparatus so far toward the periphery of the impeller through the vanes 8 and imparts to the same a velocity of whirl and radial velocity. The

liquid flows in jets or streams to the vanes 14 of the driven member (Fig. 3), impinges on the same and imparts to thesame rotation. The liquid then leaves the vanes with a relative velocitv which ispractically zero and enters again the impeller to start again the circulation, described hereinbefore.

It will be observed that the apparatus described acts like an outward-flow reaction turbine, with the exception that the energy, operating the same, is created mechanically by the impeller; in other Words it is a turbine, having rotatable guides adapted to The fluid leaves the impeller practically. tangentially, and enters the vanes of the runner, changing the direction of-fiow as it leaves the same, and exerts a pressure against the surfaces of the vanes, moving thereby the runner. Shifting now the shaft and the impeller secured thereto, so as to bring the vanes oi the impeller in operative position relative to the vanes 15 (Fi s. 1 and 4-.) of the driven member, the Eirection of action of the fluid will be reversed relative to the direction described in connection with Fig. 3. The liquid, leaving the v'anes of the impeller, will enter the vanes 16 of the deflector, be directed to the vanes 15 and leave these vanes in a direction opposite to the direction in which it leaves the vanes 14, the driven member will therefore reverse its direction of rotation.

lt is obvious that the deflector should be held against rotation, when the driven member is running in the reverse direction.

To hold the deflector against rotation the brake 19 is applied to the wheel 18, secured to the deflector.

Fig. 2 shows a modification of the device, in which the casing 9 is longitudinally movable relative to the runner 5. In this. case the deflector 16' is secured to the casing, while the vanes 14- and 15' are secured to a spider 25, moving longitudinally with the casing, when the same is shifted. The brake i9 is in this case applied to the casin 9. A heavy annular portion 26 is arranged on the casing, adapted to close the outlets of the vanes of the impeller, when the same is in its middle position. This position is shown in Fig. 2 and may be termed the neutral position. It may be observed, that in this Since the uantity of liquid is decreased, b

'ative position to the and the deflector 16 held by means of the brake-band -19 against rotation, the spider this way.

treason:

to bring the vanes 14' in operative position relative to the impeller, the sp1der Wlll run in the ahead direction, while when'the vanes 15 and deflector 16 are brought'in opervancs of the impeller 25, that is the driven member. will run in the reverse direction. It will be observed, that the heavy annular as a gate, by partially closing the outlets of the vanes of the runner, when the spider is moved longitudinally and locked by means of locking mechanism 27 in an intermediate position. By means of this gate the speed of the driven member may be varied at will.

In partially closing the outlets of the vanes of the runner, only a predetermined quantity of water, leaving the vanes of the impeller, will enter the vanes of the runner.

the speed 0 the driven'member will be de= creased. In the device' shown in Fig. 1 the impeller may be shifted, so as to vary the speed of the driven member.

It is a well known fact, that the torque of the runner of a turbine is a. function of the difference of speeds of the uides and the runner. The greater the di erence, the greater is the torque. In this particularcase the torque is a function of the diiference of the speeds of the impeller and the driven member, which may be called the runner. The speed ofthe runner may be varied at will by varying the speed of the prime mover, acting upon the driving memher; it will be seen, therefore, that the torque of the apparatus may be varied in But as the speed of the driven member may be also varied on maintaining the speed of the driving member, the torque of the driven member maybe, var'iedby varying the speed of the. same. It will be noticed, that the torque of the driven member may also be varied automatically by the load of the driven member decreases as the load increases, and, since the torque increases as the difference of the speed of the driving and driven members decreases, it will be seen that the torque increases as the load increases.

Fig. 5 is a modification of the device, in

which the casing 28 is stationary and carries the shaft 1 1n the bearings 29 and30. In

this case the impeller 31 is slightlymodified e in its posipee no water enters the vanes impeller ma portion 26 may act' understood from the description modifications, forming part of this applicatherefore, tion.

applied to the same. The speed secured to a disk 32, while the deflector 16 issecured to the casing 28. It will be seen, that no brake is needed for the deflector 1n this device, since the casing, to which the same is secured, is stationary. The shaft and impeller secured thereto may be shifted 'by means of the lever 33. A latch 34: is used to set the free end of the lever 33 to any of the notches 35 of the segment 36, so that the occupy any intermediate position. This evice may be compared with an inward-flow turbine, since the water or liquid, leaving the vanes, is discharged inwardly toward the axis of the apparatus. The operation of this device may be easily of the other tion.

It is to be obseri ed that in the devicesv shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings it is possible to vary the speed of the driven member when the latter rotates in a direction op flector to slip by-loosening the grip of the brake band 19 to the desired extent. The maximum speed, of course, will be obtained when the deflector is kept stationary.

What I claim is:

1. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a rotatable driving member, of a driven member adapted to rotate independently of said driving member, a fluid tight casing inclosing said members and adapted to "contain a liquid, a plurality of vanes on said driving member, two independent series of vanes on said driven member arranged concentrically with the vanes of said driving member, a deflector, the vanes of said driving member being adapted to direct liquid to either series of vanes to said driven member either directly or by means of said deflector, and to rotate said driven member in either direc- 2. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes arranged concentrically with the vanes of said mary wheel, and means adapted to be kept against rotation to reverse the direction of rotation of said secondary wheel on maintaining the direction of rotation of said primary wheel, arranged concentrically with the vanes of said driving member, substantially as described.

3. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes arranged concentrically with the vanes of said rima T wheel, one series serving for the a ead d1- rection and the other for the reverse direction of said secondary wheel, and means interposed between said primary wheel and the reversevanes of said secondary wheel to change the direction of the flow of the liquid issuing from the primary wheel, substantially as and for the purpOSe specified.

4. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes arranged concentrically with the vanes of said primary wheel, one series serving for the ahead direction and the other for the reverse direction of said secondary wheel, means interposed between said primary wheel and th reverse vanesto c ange the direction of the flow of water issuing from the primary wheel, and means for keeping said interposed means against rotation.

5. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes arranged concentrically with the vanes of said primary wheel, a deflector, and means adapted to direct the operating liquid issuing from said primary wheel to one series of vanes of said secondary wheel whereby the same is rotated in the direction of rotation of the primary wheel, or direct the liquid through said deflector to the other series of vanes of the secondary wheel whereby the latter reverses its direction of rotation.

6. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two independent series of vanes, one series serving for the ahead direction and the other forthe reverse direction of said secondary wheel, means interposed between said primary wheel and the reverse vanes of said secondary wheel to change the direction of the flow of water issuing from said primary wheel, and means for varying the relative position of said primary and said secondary wheels, for the purpose described.

7. In a hyd'aulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes having different vane curvatures, one series of vanes serving for thc ahead direction of said secondary wheel and the other'for the reverse direction, a deflector interposed between the primary wheel and the reverse vanes of the secondary wheel and comprising a plurality of vanes having curvatures in a directionv opposite to the direction of curvature of the reverse vanes of the secondary wheel, and means for changing the relative position of said primary and secondary wheels, whereby the liquid issuing from said primary wheel may be directed to the ahead vanes of the secondary wheel or through the deflector to the reverse vanes of said secondary wheel.

8. In ahydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes having different vane curvatures, one-series of vanes serving for the ahead direction of said secondar wheel and the other for the reverse direction, a deflector interposed between the primary wheel and the reverse vanes of the secondary wheel and comprising a plurality of vanes having curvatures in a'direction opposite to the direction'of curvature of the reverse vanes of the secondary wheel, means for changing the relative position of said primary and secondary wheels, whereby the liquid issuing from said primary wheel may be directed to the ahead vanes of the secondary wheel or through the deflector to the reverse vanes of said secondary wheel, and means for arresting the rotation of said deflector.

9. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary turbine wheel, of a secondary turbine wheel comprising two series of vanes, a deflector, said primary wheel being adapted to direct the operating liquid issuing from said primary wheel dircctly to one series of vanes of said secondary wheel whereby the same is rotated in the direction of rotation of the primary wheel, or direct the liquid through said deflector to the other series of vanes of the secondary wheel whereb the latter reverses its direction of rotatlon, and means for varying the amount of liquid flowing from said primary wheel to either series of vanes at will.

'10. In a hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a primary shaft, of a secondary shaft, means for transmitting power fromsaid primary shaft to said secondary shaft, comprising a primary turbine wheel, a secondary turbine wheel, and a rotatable guide wheel juxtaposed to said first mentioned wheels, and means for holding said guide wheel against motion.

11. In a hydraulic power transmitting appa atus, the combination with a primary shaft, of a secondary shaft, means for transmitting power from said primary shaft to said secondary shaft, comprising a primary turbine wheel, a secondary turbine wheel, and a rotatable guide wheel juxtaposed to said first mentioned wheels and receiving fluid directly from one and delivering directly to the other, and means for holding said guide wheel against motion.

. 12. A hydraulic power transmitting apparatus, the combination with a centrifugal pump impeller, of a turbine rotor, a rotatable guide wheel interposed therebetween for receiving fluid directly from the said impeller and guiding it to said rotor to ro- New York and State of New York, this tfite siid. rgtor iril a dirgctiokr: opposite t3 24th day of August, A. D. 1907. t at o' sai impe er, an a m e a apte to be applied to said guide wheel to hold it, CARLTON RADCLIFFE' 5. at will, against motion or to permit it to Witnesses:

Slip. 7 i HENRY L. FRIDENBERG,

Signed at New York, in the county of S. BIRNBAUM. 

